Pubdate: Thu, 04 Apr 2002
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune (MN)
Copyright: 2002 Star Tribune
Contact:  http://www.startribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/266
Author: Jim Adams, Star Tribune
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

4,000 MARIJUANA PLANTS FOUND IN BURNSVILLE WAREHOUSE

A raid on a Burnsville warehouse uncovered 4,107 marijuana plants with a 
street value expected to be more than $100,000, officials said.

It took two days, five police cars and two dump trucks to cart away the 
plants, growing lights, fertilizer and other items found in the warehouse 
at 1133 E. 120th St., said John Grant, supervisor of the Dakota County Drug 
Task Force.

The warehouse was leased for an art supply business by David W. Schulteis, 
47, of Eagan, who was charged Monday with second-degree drug possession.

Grant said it was the biggest marijuana bust in Dakota County. He estimated 
that when the plants are dried and weighed, they will produce 50 to 100 
pounds of marijuana, which sells for roughly $2,000 a pound.

The bust was "pretty substantial," agreed Skip Van Patten, who is the head 
of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration's region that includes 
Minnesota. He said he knew of a few 1,000-pound busts in Minnesota.

It's unclear where the marijuana was going to be marketed, Grant said.

Schulteis' attorney, Nick Gegen, said that the allegations are untrue and 
that his client, who has no prior record, will plead not guilty. Schulteis 
is free after posting $50,000 bail.

Police received tips from neighboring businesses about the art supply shop 
because they never saw anyone there except Schulteis. Investigators watched 
the warehouse a while and checked water and electric bills, which they 
found were two or three times that of neighboring businesses, Grant said.

On Friday, police found an elaborate growing operation in four rooms 
outfitted with 56 transformers, overhead lights on timed running tracks, 
and irrigation and fertilization systems.

"We didn't find one paint brush, easel or can of paint," Grant said.

The plants ranged from 4 inches to 5 feet tall. The operation was about two 
years old, Grant said. He said a mature 5-foot marijuana plant is worth 
about $500.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager